Kirsten Te Rito and band live at Matterhorn, Saturday 15 March. Free entry. Come and enjoy the spontaneous magic emerge before your eyes and ears. Every show will be different and has a life and energy of its own.
Award winning Wellington songstress (Kirsten) Te Rito is on tour promoting her sophomore album Common Ground. The music is woven with elements of jazz, hip hop and neo-soul, whist still capturing the Aotearoa flavour. She has graced the stage with many New Zealand and international bands including the Little Bushman, WAI, Bliss n Eso (AU) and was excited to have her vocals on a track with American hip hop artist NAS. Te Rito was awarded Best Māori Female Solo Artist at the 2012 Waiata Māori Music awards and in 2013 took home the award for Highest Airplay for a Māori Song. Her self titled debut album was a finalist at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2013. She is excited to be finally touring her own music in her homeland after much time on the road in Australia and Europe. Joining her on stage at Matterhorn on Saturday 15 march is James Illkeys Illingworth (Hollie Smith, Iva Lamkum, Bliss n Eso) and Darren D-Pain Mathiassen (Shapeshifter).
Partner in crime and music James Illingworth has co-written and produced most of the material for this album. In his own right he is recognised as one of New Zealand's most talented jazz pianists, and has been likened to jazz legends Keith Jarrett and Bud Powell. His playing features on the 2012 Best Jazz Album Resonator and features on the 2014 finalist Best Jazz Album 2014 Mantis.
Drummer and good mate Darren Mathiassen will be laying down the beats. Darren has worked so extensively throughout New Zealand its hard to know where to begin. Trinity Roots, Hollie Smith, Bella Kalolo, Rhombus, Module, Charlotte Yates and Iva Lamkum have all had the pleasure of having Darren on their recordings and bandstands. His latest position as the drummer for Shapeshifter will see him heading off to Europe straight after the Te Rito tour. Kirsten and James head to Australia after this tour so come and see them all in action while you can.
